Four people are standing on one side of a bridge. The bridge is dangerous to cross and can only support two people safely at a time. It is dark and there is only one torch, which must be carried by one person at all times.

- The first person can walk quickly across in 1 minute. - The second person limps and can only cross in 2 minutes. - The third person has a twisted ankle and can cross in 5 minutes. - The fourth person has plaster of paris on her leg and can only cross in 10 minutes.

No matter how fast a person can cross, she must wait for her companion.

What is the fastest time that it takes for all four people to cross the bridge?

- The first person can walk quickly across in 1 minute.- The second person limps and can only cross in 2 minutes.- The third person has a twisted ankle and can cross in 5 minutes.- The fourth person has plaster of paris on her leg and can only cross in 10 minutes.

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The first two walk across (max 2 min). The first returns with the torch (max 1 min). Total = 3 minutes

The third and fourth person walk across (max 10 minutes). Total = 13 minutes.

The second returns with the torch (max 2 min). Now they both cross the bridge (max 2 minutes). Total = 17 minutes.

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